Vick 'won't be looking over his shoulder' as starting QB, Kelly says

The resurgent veteran beats out Foles in a close competition, according to coach Chip Kelly.

August 20, 2013|By Nick Fierro, Of The Morning Call

PHILADELPHIA — — Michael Vick on Tuesday was named the Philadelphia Eagles' starting quarterback, ending a long battle with Nick Foles for the job, but failing to change is mind that he will continue to compete for his position every day.

Apparently, nothing is going to change that.

"Whether it happened now or two weeks from now," Vick said after Tuesday's practice, "I'm still going to have the same approach, the same mindset as I've been having. ... It would be a shame if I let up now."

Although Foles showed flashes of brilliance during training camp and in both preseason games, Vick proved to be more consistent and adept at running coach Chip Kelly's fast-paced, no-huddle offense in which having mobility adds an extra dimension.

Vick is 13-for-15 for 199 passing yards, a touchdown and an interception in the preseason, and will start Saturday's game at Jacksonville, where he is expected to play at least the entire first half.

"Mike is ahead right now," Kelly said. "Nick made it very difficult. It wasn't a situation where one guy went north and the other south. They both upped their games. But at this point in time, Mike's ahead. We want to move forward. This isn't a one-quarterback operation. This isn't going to be a [situation where] someone has to look over their shoulder or we're going to alternate by series. I think Mike is ahead right now.

"It was a thorough evaluation. We had 16 opportunities in the spring with them. We had 20 practice opportunities while we were here at the NovaCare, plus two preseason games. That gave us 38 opportunities, along with walk-throughs, along with meetings."

Despite making all that clear to Vick as well, Kelly said Vick also told him he will continue to operate as if nothing has been decided.

So, apparently, will Foles, who said he felt let down for around a "10th of second" before getting back into work mode.

"I'm ready to go back to work, so I wasn't moping around about it," he said. "You always want to be the one on the field playing, but at the same time, I love Mike and we've gone about it the right way. We've kept a great friendship and we've pushed each other and I'm proud of him. I'll do anything I can to help him become the best quarterback possible. I'm excited for him.

"Nothing changes in my preparation. I'm still going to prepare the same way."

Vick expressed gratitude for having to earn the job.

"I'm proud that I got the best out of myself when I needed it, and I'm going to be needing it a lot more," he said. "So if I take that same approach, hopefully good things will happen for the team."

Vick was first named the starting quarterback of this franchise early in 2010, after playing so well as a backup in the preseason and then as a replacement for Kevin Kolb, who was felled by a concussion on opening day.

He remained the starter until last year's coach, Andy Reid, decided to move forward with Foles midway through last season, after Vick was sidelined with the same injury.

But when Kelly took over, the Eagles surprisingly re-signed Vick and opened up the starting job, which Vick won with mind-boggling accuracy and decision-making as well as a rebuilt body that has him stronger than ever and faster than he's been since he was an MVP candidate in 2010.

"You're at your best when your best is required and you have to be," Vick said. "Sometimes it's hard to get it out of yourself. Sometimes you need to be motived, you need to be pushed. There were times where I questioned the situation, but I just felt like it was for a greater purpose. And that purpose was to get the most out of me, and I found a way to do that.

"And that's why I stand before you humbled, because I was able to find something within my game, within my character and my personality that I haven't felt in a long time. That means a lot, and I thank Coach Kelly for that."

Most of the players did not know the decision was made to start Vick until being asked for their reactions after practice, but all gave their endorsements, especially wide receiver DeSean Jackson, who reiterated that he believed Vick "fit the offense best since Day 1."

Added receiver Damaris Johnson: "You've got to try to guard the run from the quarterback position. He's capable of getting 50 yards on the run, 60 yards on the run. So you've just got to guard everything when Mike is out there."

Vick's leadership and ability to connect with teammates was cited by receiver Jason Avant, who along with guard Todd Herremans is the longest-tenured player on the offense.

"He learns what guys need individually to stimulate them and make them become a better player," Avant said. "And I think Mike reaches some guys that normal people can't reach, as far as culturally, understanding, being there for them outside of the game.

"Those types of things say a whole bunch, and it gives him a voice to tell them what not to do and how to do something. Guys receive it better."

SECOND CHANCE, PART II

Michael Vick was given a second chance as a football player when the Eagles brought him back into the NFL in 2009, after nearly two years in prison. Now he's being given a second chance as a starter, after losing his job to then rookie Nick Foles last season.